IPS Board Approves Plan for High School Memorabilia

When IPS announced it would close John Marshall Middle School (formerly John Marshall High School) and Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts and Humanities at the end of the 2017-18 school year, many wondered what would happen to the memorabilia inside.

For more than 160 years combined, both schools were home to not only IPS students but also sports and academic trophies, plaques and medals, banners, pictures, yearbooks and more.

Recently, IPS administration — including members of the IPS Board of School Commissioners — reviewed, amended and approved a plan to preserve the vast collection of memorabilia.

The plan was presented by the district’s Legacy Preservation Council, which was created to preserve the history and legacy of the closing high schools. The council is made up of IPS alumni and local community stakeholders — all of whom have a connection to IPS.

While still in the exploration stage, the plan includes:

Preserving historical records and documents in local museums and/or state archives.

Housing team sports banners, trophies and pictures with the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA).

Allowing individual sports trophies, plaques and medals to be claimed by the athlete (or relative of the deceased athlete).

Working with the city of Indianapolis, Indy Parks and Recreation, and the Broad Ripple Village Association to place benches and other outdoor assets in local parks and along the Monon Trail and other greenways.